Humanitarianism As A Cause For The Abolition Of The Slave Trade

Question 1

What was the enlightenment?

Answer 1

Period of time between 1650-1800, where Britain were open to more rational ideas

Question 2

How did the government increase growth in humanitarian ideologies?

Answer 2

The growth of free trade and industrialisation saw increased mistreatment of workers in factories, promoting humanitarian beliefs

Question 3

Why did the Quakers push humanitarian views against slavery?

Answer 3

Quakers believed God existed inside every human, including slaves, and to harm anyone would be to harm God

Question 4

What did the Quakers help to identify?

Answer 4

Issues that were generally ignored due to economic prosperity

Question 5

What was the Quakers religion based off, and why was it a cause for abolition?

Answer 5

Everyone is equal before God - Brits no better than slaves

Question 6

What did the Quakers do in 1783?

Answer 6

At their London Yearly Meeting, proposed a petition against slavery signed by 273

Question 7

What was the result of the Quaker petition in 1783?

Answer 7

A 23 person committee was set up to actively campaign for slave rights

Question 8

What did the Quakers do in 1784 to spread their humanitarian views against slavery?

Answer 8

Distributed 100,000 copies of a pamphlet against slavery - gave to MPs and royals as well as the public to spread idea around people in power

Question 9

What other issue with slavery did the Quakers identify in Britain in 1785?

Answer 9

In 1785 there were still 100,000 black servants in London

Question 10

What was evangelical Christians main ideology?

Answer 10

Believed everyone had to turn away from sin to reach heaven (believed slavery was sinful)

Question 11

Who were 2 main leading individuals for the abolition of slavery who were evangelical Christians?

Answer 11

Thomas Clarkson, Granville Sharp and William Wilberforce

Question 12

What was the main argument of evangelical Christians role in the abolition for slavery?

Answer 12

Key individuals were evangelical Christians

Question 13

What what key society was set up in 1787, and who did it consist of?

Answer 13

Society for effecting the abolition of the slave trade, made up of strong reformers + religious backgrounds (Quakers/Evangelists)

Question 14

What did the SFETAOTST do to promote their beliefs?

Answer 14

Created constant pressure and raised public awareness

Question 15

What is an example of the strengths of this society and the pressure it created?

Answer 15

In 1796, a bill was almost passed for the abolition of the slave trade (even during economic sugar boom)

Question 16

What was the Zong Ship Case 1783?

Answer 16

An example to show the mistreatment of slaves onboard ships

Question 17

Why did the society suffer from great opposition during the 1780s/1790s?

Answer 17

24% of economy relied on slavery, opposition from West India Lobby who had many links with MPs including the Mayor of London

Question 18

How did the society promote their movement for abolition in the 1780/90s?

Answer 18

Educational campaigns, pamphlets and propaganda

Question 19

What kind of imagery did the society use to increase public humanitarian attitudes to slavery?

Answer 19

Imagery - ‘Am I not man or brother’, drawing of the slave ship Brookes

Question 20

What is an example of a petition raised by the society in 1787?

Answer 20

In Manchester, 10,000 out of a population of 50,000 signed petition supporting abolition of slavery

Question 21

How many petitions did the society propose in 1792?

Answer 21

519 petitions

Question 22

How was the society able to gain support?

Answer 22

Humanitarian argument is always relevant - economic climate had no impact

Question 23

What can the society be seen as a trigger cause for?

Answer 23

The creation of more critics of slavery, thrust it more into the public opinion

Question 24

Why can the society and humanitarian work not be seen as a cause for the abolition of slavery?

Answer 24

Major time gap between society’s work and actual abolition of slavery - around 20 years